Electronic animal training device support system

Abstract

An animal training apparatus including an collar-supported electronic device having stimulus electrodes extending therefrom and a partially elastic collar for holding the electronic device so as to press conductive tips of the stimulus electrodes against a neck of the animal. The partially elastic collar includes a non-elastic strap section having a free first end and a second end, an elastic strap section having a first end attached to the second end of the non-elastic strap section and a second end attached to a buckle. The elastic strap section stretches to accommodate changes in the circumference of the neck so as to maintain at least a minimum tensile force in the collar as the circumference of the neck varies from a minimum to a maximum value as result of normal movement of the animal's head to thereby maintain the position of the electronic device against the neck.

1 . An animal training apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a collar-supported electronic device positioned against the neck of an animal to be trained;    (b) a partially elastic collar for holding the electronic device against a neck of an animal to be trained, the partially elastic collar including 
 i. a non-elastic strap section having a first end and a second end,  
 ii. an elastic strap section having a first end attached to the second end of a non-elastic strap section and a second end attached to a fastening means, wherein the elastic strap section stretches to accommodate changes in the circumference of the neck so as to maintain at least a minimum tensile force in the collar as the circumference of the neck varies from a minimum to a maximum value as a result of normal movement of the animal's head.  
   
     
     
         2 . An animal training apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a collar-supported electronic device having electrodes positioned against the neck of an animal to be trained;    (b) a partially elastic collar for holding the electronic device so as to press said electrodes against a neck of an animal to be trained, the partially elastic collar including 
 i. a non-elastic strap section having a first end and a second end,  
 ii. an elastic strap section having a first end attached to the second end of a non-elastic strap section and a second end attached to a fasten means, wherein the elastic strap section stretches to accommodate changes in the circumference of the neck so as to maintain at least a minimum tensile force in the collar as the circumference of the neck varies from a minimum to a maximum value as a result of normal movement of the animal's head.  
   
     
     
         3 . A horse training apparatus comprising: 
 (a) an electronic stimulus device having first and second stimulus electrodes for electrically contacting skin in an area on the side of a horse's neck; and    (b) a partially elastic collar for holding the electronic stimulus device so as to press conductive tips of the first and second stimulus electrodes against the skin, the partially elastic collar including 
 i. a non-elastic strap section having a free first end and a second end,  
 ii. an elastic strap section having a first end attached to the second end of the non-elastic strap section and a second end attached to a fastening means,  
 wherein the elastic strap section stretches to accommodate changes in the circumference of the horse's neck so as to maintain at least a minimum tensile force in the collar as the circumference of the horse's neck varies from a minimum to a maximum value as result of normal movement of horse's head to thereby hold the electronic stimulus device so as maintain pressure of the conductive tips against the skin.  
   
     
     
         4 . The animal training apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said fastening means is a buckle.  
     
     
         5 . The animal training apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said fastening means is a buckle.  
     
     
         6 . An animal training apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a collar-supported electronic device for use in training an animal;    (b) a buckle having a buckle tongue;    (c) a collar including a non-elastic strap secured to said electronic device and extending therefrom to terminate in a free end having buckle tongue holes therein, said non-elastic strap having a second end;    (d) an elastic strap having one end secured to the second end of said non-elastic strap, and having another end secured to said buckle    wherein said elastic strap stretches to accommodate changes in required collar length to maintain a minimum tensile force in the collar and thereby maintain a desired position of the electronic device on the animal.    
     
     
         7 . The animal training apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said electronic device includes stimulus electrodes for contacting the animal's skin.  
     
     
         8 . An animal training apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a collar-supported electronic device for use in training said animal, said collar including 
 i. a non-elastic strap secured to said electronic device and extending therefrom and terminating in first and second ends,  
 ii. a first elastic strap secured to the first end of said non-elastic strap and having an opposite end,  
 iii. a second elastic strap secured to the second end of said non-elastic strap and having an opposite end,  
 iv. fastening means for securing said opposite ends together.  
   
     
     
         9 . The animal training apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said fastening means is a buckle.  
     
     
         10 . The animal training apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said first and second elastic straps each have a different modulus of elasticity.